Update, 9:50 am/Sun., August 2 -: Twocommunity meetings will be held today, Sun., August 2: the first will begin at 1pm at the Hayfork Community Church in Hayfork, and the second will start at 4pm in Hyampom, at the Volunteer Fire Department. Fire management staff will provide operational updates and provide closure and evacuation information.

The Humboldt Lightning Complex fires burning in southern Humboldt have consumed approximately 2,300 acres, according to Incident Commander Tom Nix as of this Sunday, morning’s 7 am briefing.Firefighters will continue to mop up dozens of fires that sparked during Thursday’s lightning event. Meanwhile, crews will attack 5 fires in the now-designated Branch I. Those fires are burning between 30-100 acres each.

Branch III, just a couple of miles north of Branch I, includes the 400 acre fire near Blocksburg. Calfire crews will continue to monitor the firing operation that was conducted Saturday night, keeping the fire within the perimeter control lines. The rest of Branch III is in patrol status, Calfire and local agency crews will be checking on all contained fires to make sure they are not re-igniting. The Infrared Mapping located 4 hot spots from the North to South on the map, they are: 173 acres north of Willow Draw Creek and south of the Eel River; 119 acres just north of and touching Winchester Ridge; 396 acres burning Hamner Flat east; and 166 acres burning near Steelhead Road.The Blocksburg area is under an evacuation warning. If anyone needs shelter, the Alderpoint Volunteer Fire Station is open to the community. Click here to see the the CAL FiIRE map showing Branch 1, 2 and 3. Links to other CAL FIRE maps are found at the bottom of this page.

Update, Noon/Sat., August 1: There is an informational meeting about the southern Humboldt evacuations at 6 pm at the Baptist Church in Bridgeville (48215 Alderpoint Road) tonight, August 1st. See below for other updates:

Down River Area Evacuations~Denny Area Voluntary Evacuations: For the town of Denny and surrounding area US Forest Service is recommending voluntary evacuations at this time. Multiple fires are threatening Denny Road and the ability to evacuate the area.~Castle Rock Area Mandatory Evacuations: Mandatory Evacuations have been requested by US Forest Service and ordered by the Trinity County Sheriff's Department for residences in the area of Underwood Mountain Rd, Castle Rock and Hog Ranch including 5 N 40 road, 5 N 07 Road, 5 N 09 Road, Big Lake, hidden Lake, to 5 N 60 Road to Mill Creek Road~Mill Creek Rd Voluntary Evacuations: Mandatory Evacuations have been requested by US Forest Service and ordered by the Trinity County Sheriff's Department for the following area from Highway 299 about 1 mile down Mill Creek Rd

Road Closures for Down River Area: Soft Closures Hwy 299 @ Underwood Mountain Rd. No Evacuation Center at this time

Mad River/Ruth Area Evacuations:~Ruth Lake Area Mandatory Evacuations: Mandatory Evacuations have been requested by US Forest Service and ordered by the Trinity County Sheriff's Department for residences in the area of Mad River Rd from Highway 36 to Three Forks Road area and the back side of the lake on Ruth/Zenia Road to the Ruth Dam

Road Closures for Mad River Area: Hard Closure: Hwy 36 @ Forest Glen west to Lower Mad River Rd and Lower Mad River Rd to Ruth/Zenia Rd - Soft Closure: Ruth/Zenia Rd to Three Forks Area

Hayfork Area Evacuations:~Kingsbury Gulch Mandatory Evacuations: Mandatory Evacuations have been requested by US Forest Service and ordered by the Trinity County Sheriff's Department for residences in the area of Morgan Hill Rd from Pine St to Kingsbury Gulch Rd, including Kingsbury Rd, Center St, Dirt Rd

Mill Gulch Mandatory Evacuations:~Mandatory Evacuations have been requested by US Forest Service and ordered by the Trinity County Sheriff's Department for the Mill Gulch area

Trinity Pines Mandatory Evacuations:~Mandatory Evacuations have been requested by US Forest Service and ordered by the Trinity County Sheriff's Department for residences in the area of Trinity Pines you will need to evacuate to Post Mountain Road to Highway 36 to Red Bluff or Highway 36 to Highway 3 to Hayfork.

Hyampom Area Evacuations:~Corral Bottom Mandatory Evacuations ~Mandatory Evacuations have been requested by US Forest Service and ordered by the Trinity County Sheriff's Department for the following areas from the intersection of Road 16 and Road 47 to Road 47 to Road 60 and Road 60 into Hyampom ~End of Kerlin Creek Rd ~Skunk Ranch Area ~Manzanita Ranch Area

See the original post on this story below. Links to the current fire maps are located at bottom of the page.

In response to the many fires raging in California, exacerbated by drought and extreme weather, Governor Brown declared a state of emergency to help mobilize additional firefighting and disaster response resources. In a statement made yesterday, July 31, 2015, Brown said, “California’s severe drought and extreme weather have turned much of the state into a tinderbox,” and added that, “Our courageous firefighters are on the front lines and we’ll do everything we can to help them.”

The following is a KMUD News Special Bulletin about fires in our area, as of Sat., August 1, 2015:

Humboldt County:

Calfire says fires in Humboldt county are now burning 900 acres and growing with only 5% containment. Sheriff Downey has issued a precautionary evacuation advisory for Blocksburg, due to wildfire. No mandatory evacuation orders are in effect. Residents of Blocksburg are being told to get ready for evacuation. Meanwhile, firefighters on the ground and in the air continue to battle fires in the Alderpoint & Blocksburg area.

A series of workshops and meetings are scheduled to review the Land Use Maps in the Humboldt County General Plan Update. According to a press release from the county, "The workshops offer an opportunity for community members to learn more about what is proposed to change and what will remain the same in their local area. In addition to the workshops there are three public hearings where the Board will hold formal meetings about the maps and accept public testimony."

The press release also states, "Owners who have land-use changes will be receiving a courtesy notice, with the proposed changes, ahead of the meetings so that they can attend a meeting in their area. In order to have time to answer phone inquiries the notices will be released over a three week period. Affected owners will be getting their notices between May 30 and June 20."

The workshop schedule and a previously aired story on the workshops appear below.

Use the player above the hear audio from the forum and the SoundCloud player below to hear more background on the Blue Ribbon Commission in a report by Terri Klemetson, aired on the KMUD News Friday May 29, 2015.

The original post with additional information apprears below:

A special public policy forum to discuss the unique public policy challenges related to marijuana legalization affecting California’s North Coast will be held in Garberville this Friday, May 29 at the Redwood Playhouse in the College of the Redwoods Building at 286 Sprowel Creek Road in Garberville. Congressman Jared Huffman and Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom will participate in the forum which will run from 1-2:30 pm.

Information will be presented from the document titled: "PROGRESS REPORT-Blue Ribbon Commission on Marijuana Policy" Click here to read or download a pdf version of that document. A media advisory, received by KMUD News, describes the Blue Ribbon Commission as follows: "The Blue Ribbon Commission, chaired by Lt. Governor Newsom and formed in partnership with the ACLU of Northern California, aims to inform voters and policymakers on the key challenges related to marijuana legalization in California, in anticipation of a likely 2016 ballot initiative."

KMUD will do a live broadcast of the forum and archive the program at kmud.org.

Feedback from policymakers, researchers and the public on the issues raised in this Progress Report, as well as on other issues related to the taxation, regulation and legalization of marijuana in California, is welcomed. The Progress Report suggests the following as guidelines for feedback:

1. Are there points raised in this report with which you disagree? If so, why? Please do share information, reports, or analysis that helps you form your view on that issue.

2. What particular solutions or approaches do you recommend policymakers pursue in the areas described in the Progress Report?

3. Are there particular topics raised in the Progress Report about which you would like to see the BRC provide further information and analysis?

4. Are there other issues that are not addressed in this Progress Report that you believe the BRC or policymakers should consider?

Please send comments via the feedback link on the BRC website at www.safeandsmartpolicy.org. Please send any attachments (using .pdf format) to: info@safeandsmartpolicy.org. A member of the BRC or its staff or consultants will review the comments; however, will not have the capacity to respond to each of the comments individually.

Anticipating the legalization of Cannabis in California, activists are launching a ballot initiative to form a Marijuana Policy Commission in Mendocino County. A recently formed group, the Mendocino Cannabis Policy Council (MCPC), is sponsoring the initiative, which they hope to see on the November 2015 county ballot.

Update- New audio added. A KMUD News report covering the May 7th NCRWQCB Workshop, an extended report on the workshop, aired by Kerry Reynolds on Cannabis Consciousness News, May 14, and a half-hour interview with Matt St. John, which aired on KMUD's Monday Morning Magazine, is now found on this page below.

According to a KMUD News interview with Matt St. John, Executive Officer for the California State North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (NCRWQCB), the draft Order and Mitigated Negative Declaration requirements for Cannabis Farmers has been released for a 45 day public review and comment period. This comment period ends June 8. Click here to view or download the draft. Links to additional information, including the "Notice of Intent Form" and "Best Management Practices", can be found on the NCRWQCB website at: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/public_notices/#grass

NCRWQCB held a workshop on May 7, in Eureka at the Warfinger Building, located at 1 Marina Way, from 9 am to 5 pm., to solicit public input about the draft. See the second SoundCloud player, below, for a news report on this workshop. Comments about the draft can be submitted by e-mail to: northcoast@waterboards.ca.govQuestions regarding the workshop or the draft Order and Mitigated Negative Declaration should be directed to Diana Henrioulle, by phone at 707-576-2542 or email at Diana.Henrioulle(at)waterboards.ca.gov, or Connor McIntee by phone at 707-576-2708 or email at Connor.McInte(at)waterboards.ca.gov. Note, in using these e-mail addresses, replace (at) with @.

The interview with Matt St. John, recorded by Kerry Reynolds and aired on KMUD News Friday, April 25, 2015, can be heard using the player below.

KMUD's Kerry Reynolds attended the May 7th Workshop and filed this report, which was broadcast on the KMUD Local News on Mon., May 11.

Using the player below, listen to, or down load audio from, this special edition of Cannabis Consciousness News, with Kerry Reynolds, featuring extended audio highlights from the May 7th North Coast Water Board meeting in Eureka, CA.

{mp3} news/Canna_Cons_NewsR {/mp3}

On Mon., May 11, hosts, Eric Kirk and Bob Froehlich, interviewed Matt St. John, Executive Officer for the California State North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, on KMUD's Monday Morning Magazine program, about the new draft order. Use the player below to hear or download this segment.

KMUD is a volunteer-based community organization that relies on financial support through KMUD memberships and donations. But our real power source is our wonderful volunteers. This page lists opportunities for volunteering at KMUD and information about how to get involved.

Please contact Kerry Morgan at the KMUD Business office (707) 923-2513 ext. 107 or kerry@kmud.org, if you are interested in helping. See the current volunteer opportunities below.

Thanks to all the volunteers who helped make the KMUD Block Party a smashing success!

Southern Humboldt residents met last evening, Thurs., Jan. 15, 2015, in the Redway Elementary School Gym to hear panel presentations by law enforcement and the D.A.'s Office regarding re-staffing to increase Sheriff's Officers' presence in the southern part of the county and to discuss community involvement in helping keep residents and property safe. The meeting was facilitated by Second District Supervisor, Estelle Fennel, and the panel included Garberville-Redway Chamber of Commerce Director, Cinnamon Paula, and a number of the Chamber's Board Members.

Thursday's meeting, designed to focus on solutions, followed a previous Town Hall meeting, held last June, where a huge crowd gathered to express concern about the lack of police presence and response to crime in the Southern Humboldt area.

Tune in to KMUD this Monday, Jan. 19 from 8 - 9 am, for more information about the meeting.

Use the audio players below to hear the full audio from the Thurs. meeting.

A new interactive online search tool, called “Is My Property Near a Nitrate-Impacted Water Well”, was recently posted by the State Water Resources Control Board. The tool alerts users if privately owned water wells are located within 2,000 feet of a nitrate-impacted well - defined as a water well with at least one detection of nitrate pollutant at a level above the health standard since 2000.

The Water Resources Control Board recommends that private well owners test their wells annually using an accredited drinking water laboratory.

Use the player below to hear a report on this story by Kerry Reynolds, including an interview with John Borkovich, Chief of Ground Water Monitoring and Assessment for the Water Resources Control Board.{mp3} news/WellTesting {/mp3}

CCVH states: California Cannabis Voice Humboldt is working to pass a cannabis land use ordinance for Humboldt County which would provide a path to legitimacy for Humboldt County Cannabis Farmers. CCVH fights to preserve the ideals of the small family cannabis farm as California presses toward legalization in 2016.

KMUD's Kerry Reynolds reported on this issue during the KMUD News of Wednesday, November 12. Listen to the story here. More audio from the meeting below.

Approximately 100 people attended a public meeting on Thursday, Nov. 6th at the Blue Lake Casino & Hotel's Sapphire Palace to discuss a comprehensive cannabis ordinance for Humboldt County. The meeting, organized by California Cannabis Voice Humboldt (CCVH), included three panels of delegates from the 35-member stakeholder group that held an initial summit meeting in early October.

Audio from each of the panels can be heard and/or downloaded using the players below. Audio, panel descriptions, and panel photo provided by KMUD Correspondent Kerry Reynolds.

Panel 1 - "What Is CCVH?" On this panel, members talk about how they became involved with CCVH, a registered Political Action Committee, and the CCVH goals for Humboldt County.

Panel 2- "Sustainability: 2016 and Beyond" This panel begins by discussing how cannabis farmers, businesses, and collectives can file taxes. They also talk about how the ordinance will require farmers to demonstrate that they have sufficient and legal water for their farming needs. Also included, is a briefing by an audience member on efforts towards bringing to Southern Humboldt the excess water from Mad River that was previously used for a pulp mill.

Panel 3 - "Land Use, Permitting, and You" In this Panel, Patrick Murphy describes his efforts to become fully permitted and compliant with the county, and Steve Lazar and Praj White discuss pathways to compliance for permitting. The issue of shaded parcels was also raised. In addition, many of the panelists talk about how the ordinance will treat cannabis as an agricultural commodity and will work to make the county cannabis program as accessible as possible for small cannabis farmers.

Locally, Measure P-GMO Cultivation Prohibition, Measure Z- Sales Tax-Humboldt County Public Safety/Essential Services Measure, and Measure X-Southern Humboldt Joint Unified School District Bond Measure were all approved by voters with 59% of voters saying yes to P, 55% approving measure Z, and 64% favoring Measure X. And Mendocino County voters approved Measure S, the Anti-Fracking initiative by a large majority.

Democratic Candidate Jared Huffman will continue in office, as will Governor Brown. Jim Wood will be seated for the State Assembly, District 2, and Mike McGuire prevailed in the District 2 State Senate race.

In national politics, the Republicans strengthened their majority in the House giving them the biggest majority since Harry Truman's presidency more than 60 years ago while seizing the majority in the Senate by 52-45 with two independents. Louisiana's U.S. Senate race will be decided in a Dec. 6 runoff.

Details on selected outcomes of the election are found below and are from the Humboldt County Election Night Final Report as of 11:42 PM with 100% of precincts reporting. State vote tallies are as of 12:12 AM, Wed. Nov. 5. More details can be viewed on the KMUD News Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/KmudNews

Blue Lake City Council Member (vote for two/shows two top vote-getters)John Sawatzky-46%Jean S. Lynch-35%

Eureka City Council Member Ward 1(only one candidate running)Marian Brady-93%

Eureka City Council Member Ward 3Mike L. Newman-51%Kim Bergel-49%

Eureka City Council Member Ward 5Natalie Arroyo-62%Chet Albin-38%

Humboldt County Ballot Measures:

Measure P (yes=59%/no=41%): Genetic Contamination Prevention Ordinance/Question: Shall the ordinance prohibiting the propagation, cultivation, raising or growing of genetically engineered organisms (also known as GMOs) in Humboldt County be adopted?

Measure Z (yes=55%/no=45%): Sales Tax/Question: HUMBOLDT COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY/ESSENTIAL SERVICES MEASURE. To maintain/improve essential services, such as 24-hour sheriff's patrols; 9-1-1 emergency response; crime investigation/prosecution; drug/illegal marijuana growhouse enforcement/prevention; services for abused children/mentally ill; rural fire protection; road repairs; and other County services, shall County of Humboldt pursuant to County Ordinance No. 2517 enact a 1/2% sales tax, for five years, all revenue for the County, none for the State of California, with annual audits and public review?

Blue Lake-Measure T (yes=46%/no=54%):Utility Users Tax/ Question: To help ensure that the City of Blue Lake has the funds necessary to support the quality of life its residents have come to expect through such essential services as adequate law enforcement, park and recreation programs, and the maintenance and repair of local streets and public facilities, among others, shall the City place a four percent (4%) Utility Users Tax (Resolution No. 1033) on all electricity and gas usage in the City, beginning March 1, 2015, and automatically terminating five years later?)

Eureka-Measure Q (yes=66%/no=34%):Sales Tax Extension/ Question: Shall the Eureka Municipal Code be amended to extend a one-half of one percent (0.50%) supplemental transaction and use tax to fund essential services such as police, fire medical response, street maintenance, environmental programs, zoo, parks and recreation with the following restrictions? The supplemental transaction and use tax will expire after five years, unless reauthorized by the voters. A citizen's oversight committee shall be established to conduct annual audits of all expenditures generated by the tax to ensure fiscal accountability and public participation

-Measure R (yes=38%/no=62%):Minimum Wage Ordinance Initiative/ Question: Shall an ordinance be adopted that (1) requires (a) payment of minimum wages in Eureka at $12.00 per hour for employers with 25 or more employees (including Welfare-to-Work Programs) with an annual increase, if any, based on the Consumer Price Index beginning the ninetieth (90th) day after certification; (b) City Attorney enforcement through fines, penalties, or civil actions; (c) City Council authority to amend the ordinance with regard to implementation or enforcement; and (d)voter approval of substantive changes to the ordinance; and (2) allows private enforcement through civil actions?

Fortuna-Measure V (yes=37%/no=63%):"Budget Stabilization" Sales Tax/ Question: To offset state budget cuts and restore stability to Fortuna's city budget; maintain 9-1-1 emergency response services; restore cuts to police protection, gang/drug prevention, and road/sidewalk maintenance; support local businesses, the Fortuna Rodeo and AutoXpo; and maintain other essential general services, shall the City of Fortuna establish a one cent sales tax, requiring independent annual financial audits and public review, with all funds remaining in Fortuna?

Rio Dell-Measure U (yes=53%/no=47%):Sales Tax/ Question: Shall the City of Rio Dell increase the sales tax by 1%, for five years only, providing locally controlled funding that cannot be taken by the State?

State-wide outcomes for State Propositions (as of 12:55 AM Wed., Nov 5/Propositions need over 50% to pass/pass shown in green):

Prop. 1 (yes=67%/no=33%)-Water Bond: Authorizes $7.12 billion in general obligation bonds for state water supply infrastructure projects, such as surface and groundwater storage; ecosystem and watershed protection and restoration; drinking water protection; water supply management; water recycling and advanced water treatment technology; and flood control.

Prop. 2 (yes=69%/no=31%)-Budget: Amends the State Constitution to end the existing rules for a state budget reserve—the Budget Stabilization Account (BSA)—and replace them with new rules. The new rules would change how the state pays down debt and saves money in reserves, including the requirement to spend a minimum amount each year to pay down specific debts. If passed, a new state reserve would be created for schools and community colleges. In addition, a new state law would go into effect that sets the maximum budget reserves school districts can keep at the local level in some future years.

Prop. 46 (yes=33%/no=67%)-Drug and Alcohol Testing of Doctors; Medical Negligence Lawsuits: This measure would increase the state's cap on damages that can be assessed in medical negligence lawsuits to over $1 million from the current cap of $250,000, with annual adjuments for inflation going forward. Additionally, it requires drug and alcohol testing of doctors and the reporting of positive tests to the California Medical Board for mandated discipline. Lastly, it mandates that health care practitioners consult a state prescription drug history database before prescribing certain medications.

Prop. 47 (yes=58%/no=42%)-Criminal Sentences: This measure reduces penalties for certain offenders convicted of nonserious and nonviolent property and drug crimes. The measure also allows certain offenders who have been previously convicted of such crimes to apply for reduced sentences. In addition, the measure requires any state savings that result from the measure be spent to support truancy (unexcused absences) prevention, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and victim services.

Prop. 48 (yes=39%/no=61%)-Indian Gaming: In June 2013, the Legislature passed AB 277, which approves gaming compacts between the state and the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians and the Wiyot Tribe. Under the State Constitution, enacted legislation can generally be placed before voters as a referendum to determine whether it can go into effect. This proposition is a referendum on AB 277. If voters approve Proposition 48, the gaming compacts between the state and the two tribes would go into effect, allowing North Fork to construct a casino in Madera County.